US, Taliban sign historic peace deal: All you need to know

US and Taliban on Saturday signed a historic peace deal after nearly 17 months of negotiations, clearing the path for Washington to withdraw its troops from Afghanistan and end the 18-year-long war there. Here's all you need to know:


* The

United States

and its allies will withdraw all their forces from Afghanistan within 14 months if the Taliban abide by the agreement, Washington and Kabul said in a joint statement. US secretary of state Mike Pomepo said they will closely watch the Taliban's compliance to the agreement, adding that the pact will mean nothing if concrete actions are not taken on the promises.

* The deal follows a week-long partial truce — a "reduction in violence" — agreed upon by the US and the Taliban. Though skirmishes were reported during the period, observers say the partial truce, by and large, was successful, with a near 80% reduction in violence.

* The deal calls for intra-Afghan talks between the Taliban and the government of Kabul — a first — as well as other armed tribal groups within 10 to 15 days; reduction of US troops in Afghanistan from the current 13,000 to 8,600.

* Under the deal, the Taliban wants 5,000 fighters to be released from Afghan-run jails, but it is not clear whether the Afghan government will agree. There are also questions about whether Taliban fighters loyal to hardline Islamist splinter groups will be willing to adhere to the reduction in violence agreement.

* India was also present in the room, for the first time, albeit as an observer. It was represented by its ambassador to Qatar, P Kumaran. During the US-Taliban negotiations, New Delhi had insisted on an "Afghan-led" approach. India did send two former diplomats as "non-official representatives" in Moscow-led talks with the Taliban in November 2018, though.

* Hours before the deal, the Taliban ordered all its fighters in Afghanistan "to refrain from any kind of attack ... for the happiness of the nation."

* The war, which has killed tens of thousands of people, began when the United States launched attacks on Afghanistan just weeks after the September 11, 2001, attacks on New York and Washington by the Afghanistan-based al-Qaida militant group. Washington accused the Taliban of harbouring al-Qaida and its leader Osama bin Laden, and with its allies ousted the group from power. But the Taliban has remained a potent force and currently controls about 40% of Afghan territory.

* There are currently more than 16,500 soldiers serving under the NATO banner, of which 8,000 are American. Germany has the next largest contingent, with 1,300 troops, followed by Britain with 1,100. In all, 38 NATO countries are contributing forces to Afghanistan.

(With agency inputs)